Uncover restaurants hidden in cabins, local farmers’ markets and forward-thinking places to stay with our light-touch look at Canada‘s west coast city.
Stand in Downtown Vancouver, looking from the snow-capped North Shore Mountains to the inky-blue Pacific Ocean, and you’ll begin to understand why Greenpeace was founded here. Not only does it have a thriving creative and restaurant scene – and let’s not forget all those craft breweries – but Vancouver is also on a mission to halve its carbon emissions by 2030. Single-use plastics are banned across the city, and the roads have been redesigned to be more bike-friendly. Life in Vancouver is all about dialing things back and enjoying the ride.
With its courtyard full of palm trees and glitzy furniture, the Burrard feels like a kitsch motel from the 1950s, which it once was. The Burrard Motor Inn opened its doors in 1956, although a 21st-century renovation has left it more hip than historic. Not only is it independent and locally owned, but it’s also the holder of a Green Key Award – the international standard for businesses leading the way in sustainable tourism.
This Saturday-morning seasonal stalwart has been a favorite with locals for more than 20 years, providing a vibrant place for a roving breakfast. Wander through John Hendry Park and spend a few hours browsing more than 70 stalls, ranging from fresh eggs to home-made chutneys and seasonal produce.
This excellent yoga studio offers a selection of styles, from hot yoga to yin. It uses energy-efficient washers and ecofriendly cleaning supplies, and members of the Modo Yoga community even co-founded an NGO called Junglekeepers, which protects a piece of land in the Peruvian Amazon six times the size of Central Park in New York City. Inspiring stuff.
Sustainably minded night owls will love swinging by Botanist Bar for a late-night cocktail. The wine list exclusively features pours from organic, biodynamic or sustainable producers, while cocktails utilize overlooked, wild ingredients, such as candy-cap mushrooms and oyster leaves. The presentation takes pride of place, too – think partially melted punch bowls balanced on driftwood.
In a ferny forest on tiny Galiano Island, this standout fine-dining restaurant in a log cabin is well worth the ferry ride. Jesse McCleery – who previously worked at Noma in Copenhagen – has created a menu that reads like a love letter to the island ingredients. The restaurant has fostered strong connections with local fishers, farmers and foragers, allowing it to serve hyper-seasonal tasting menus with minimal food miles.
Not found your ideal place to stay in the Couve yet? See where to stay in Vancouver and book with Culture Trip.
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